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Bernie Sweeney the Writer

By
Muriel J. Smith
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Bernie Sweeney
Before He Was a Restauranteer He Was a Writer!

While everyone in Monmouth County thinks of The Shore Casino in the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Harbor when they hear the name Bernie Sweeney, it was different 75 years ago. That’s when the Jersey City native was in the army and stationed at Camp Campbell in Kentucky. He was also a writer in the service, as he was before his  Casino In The Park days in Jersey City.

So it was in 1953 on the 11th anniversary of the official opening of the camp for training soldiers, that Sweeney wrote a front page, by-lined article for The Courier, in its anniversary edition of the weekly newspaper for the Campbell area.

The paper recently stopped circulation now in search of the most efficient means of circulating the news for military on the base, located on the Kentucky-Tennessee border between the towns of Hopkinsville in Kentucky and Clarksville in Tennessee. The base is named for Army Brigadier General William Bowen Campbell, a general in the Union army during the Civil War and the last Whig Governor of the state of Tennessee.

Fort Campbell is the home of the 101st Air borne Division and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. Sweeney’s several thousand-word story spanned three pages of the newspaper back in 1953, highlighting the arrival of the base created to train soldiers during World War II .

It began when the 11th Airborne Division arrived after being relieved of occupational duty in Japan in 1949. The paratroopers, Sweeney said, “arrived here in wave elements until May of that year when the 11th Airborne Division officially made Fort Campbell the Home of the Angels.”

Sweeney traced the construction that continued on the base from 1942 when the area was struck by heavy rains, minor floods and the need to prepare the camp for an early occupancy to meet the needs of war training.

Sweeney’s story also told of the circumstances surrounding which state could claim ownership to the Home of the Angels, first identified as Tennessee based on surveyors indicating that two-thirds of the reservation was south of the state line. Later, because of complaints about it, the matter was studied further in Washington, the reporter continued, and “the camp was officially changed from Camp Campbell, Tennessee, to Camp Campbell, Kentucky.

Eight years later, when the camp was redesignated from a temporary to a permanent post, it was renamed Fort Cambell, Kentucky.

The base was also a prison camp for the many German prisoners of war who were housed there during World War II, with three stockades used for that purpose, each holding 3,000 men, and separating the captured Nazi from anti-Nazi prisoners.

In later years, the base was expanded and at the time Sweeney was stationed there, it included new housing, a gym, theater, permanent barracks, a hospital, and military and recreational facilities that ranked the base among the best in the world. There was also a 25-classroom school built for military children and a modern-day hospital with specialties in neurosurgery, plastic and orthopedic surgery and other specialized treatment for veterans returning from the Korea war shortly after 1950.

Today, while it is on hold while installation leadership explores options for the best platform to continue serving the Fort Campbell community’s information needs, the newspaper’s leaders praise the “award-winning team” ore reporters and editors who “wove words into narratives, capturing the essence of Army life with the hope that in the future “it may find its new path and keep weaving stories for generations to come!”

Bernie Sweeney Bernie Sweeney BernieBernie Sweeney Sweeney Bernie Sweeney

Bernie Sweeney Bernie Sweeney

Bernie Sweeney

AH Volunteers of the Month

By
Muriel J. Smith
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Volunteers

Local residents Sue Curry and Claire Kozic were honored as volunteers of the month at the Atlantic Highlands Borough Council meeting this week . With enthusiasm after their award presentation the volunteers invited everyone to join in the activities that give residents of all ages the opportunity to participate.

The two women praised the athletic program at Henry Hudson Regional School with MS Kozic saying “it’s a lifelong thing” in recognizing the abilities of local youth and their abilities to work together in a variety of sports. Their activities encourage and invite residents of all ages to attend and cheer them on, the volunteers said, and help to build communications between generations.

In praising them, Mayor Lori Hohenleitner said both women are active in volunteering in a number of different areas and do so much volunteer work “behind the scenes” for which they never seek nor are given recognition.

At the same meeting, Council President Brian Dougherty, a frequent and avid supporter of all the athletic and scholastic programs both at the Atlantic Highlands school and Henry Hudson, announced the new Field Hockey instructional program just introduced in the borough for girls in grades 4 through 7.

The councilman said the program, which recently got underway, has 32 participants with Erin Dougherty, Katrina Majewski, Courtney Gearhart and Karin Masina the instructors and activities held at Kavookjian on Route 36. The program is sponsored jointly by the Atlantic Highlands and Highlands recreation programs, Dougherty said, and is appreciated as a new activities program for girls. He also encouraged residents to take advantage of the number of activities offered for local youth that residents of all ages would enjoy watching.

Volunteers Volunteers Volunteers

SCAM ALERT

By
Muriel J. Smith
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scam
In keeping with the Atlantic Highlands  Police Department’s accent on preventive care ensures safety, Police Chief Scott Reinert issued the following warning and alert to all borough residents today.
Many residents are receiving calls about owing the Atlantic Highlands Police Department money for a “Federal Warrant”.  The phone call comes from a “spoofed” number that looks like the Atlantic Highlands Police Department’s number (732) 291-1212.  Please disregard these phone calls, they are a scam.  The Atlantic Highlands Police Department would never ask for payment over the phone and would never ask for Bitcoin, Venmo, Paypal, Zelle etc. as a form of payment.  Thieves will try to take your money any way possible and awareness is the best defense.  Most of these scams are conducted out of our county and once the money is transferred it is gone forever.  If you are ever suspicious of mail, phone calls or emails please stop by Police Headquarters or call us at 732-291-1212 to verify.  Some are easy to determine but many are very creative.  Thank you
SCAM SCAM

Arts Council Arts Trek

By
Muriel J. Smith
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arts

The second Annual Arts Trek sponsored by the Atlantic Highlands Arts Council will be to the Brandywine Museum of Art in Chadds Ford, Pa. on Saturday, Aug. 17.

Tickets for the event are available to all interested persons and are offered at $130 for members of the Council and $140 for non-members. Ticket price includes bus transportation, admission, guided tours, and a boxed sandwich lunch.

The motor coach will leave from 54 First Avenue, Atlantic Highlands at 9 a.m. and return approximately 5 p.m.

The Museum is showcasing the art of Andrew Wyeth and Jamie Wyeth, and includes landscapes, portraits and illustrations as well as works by other artists. . A special exhibit spotlights Frank Stewart, a staff photographer for Jazz at Lincoln Center who captured performances and candid moments of jazz legends Miles Davis, Wynton Marsalis and others.

The trip will also include a visit to Andrew Wyeth’s studio displaying his art materials and furnishings.

Payment and reservations must be made no later than July 15 for the trip which is planned regardless of rain or shine. For further information, visit

https://www.aharts.org/events-classes/arts-trek-brandywine-museum-andrew-wyeth-exhibit

 

Regionalization: Want Sea Bright at Hudson? RUN

By
Muriel J. Smith
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RUN

RUN Deadline for filing petitions to be a candidate for the Henry Hudson Regional School District Board of Education is Monday, July 29, at 4 p.m.

Five persons will be elected from Highlands and four from Atlantic Highlands in the Nov. 5 election to serve on the first elected board of the Prek-12 regional school district which was approved by the voters last September.

An interim board, comprised of members of the former three boards of education now included in the single district, has been serving since the district became official July 1. Their terms expire in January 2025, when the winners in the November 2024 election of the first elected nine-member board take office.

Qualified candidates for the board must file a nominating petition and meet the following qualifications: a citizen of the United States of America, at least 18 years of age, able to read and write, a resident and registered voter in the borough for at least one year preceding the date of the election; not disqualified as a voter pursuant to N.J.S.A. 19:4-1 and not convicted of a disqualifying crime pursuant to N.J.S.A.18A:12-1. Nor can any candidate be directly or indirectly involved in any contract with, or claim against, the board.

In Atlantic Highlands there will be two three-year terms, one two-year term and one one year term up for election; in Highlands, there will be one three-year term, two two-year terms, and two one year terms to be decided.

With Atlantic Highlands and Highlands the only two constituent districts of Henry Hudson Regional, the seats will be allocated alphabetically with the terms each candidate is seeing noted. Voters can only vote for candidates representing the town in which they live.

In filing the petition to be included on the ballot, candidates must fill out the appropriate box on the form indicating the length of term they are seeking as well as the town they represent. The ballot will reflect the years of the term they are seeking.

Board administrator Janet Sherlock has indicated that persons with any questions on filling out a petition should call the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office in Freehold where an employee will walk them through the process.

The Election Division will also review all the forms they receive and reach out to any if they have questions on the information provided, the administrator said.

The county election division office is located at 300 Halls Mill Rd., Freehold and is open Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For contact information, call 732-431-7700.

The petition for filling out and signatures for signers of petitions is available on the website for the Henry Hudson Regional Board of Education.

Past Stories on Regionalization HERE

RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN

Who Is Andy Rooney? Sea Bright Swim Meet

By
Muriel J. Smith
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Why is it the Andy Rooney Swim Meet? And who is Andy Rooney in the first place?

Actually, the very popular Swim Meet that will be held Saturday, July 13 in Sea Bright is named for two former mayors of the borough.

Andy Manning was mayor of the borough in 1988 when the first Sea Bright Mile Swim was held as a means of bringing the community together and taking advantage of the borough’s oceanfront location. Manning was only mayor for a year, and was succeeded by Charles Rooney, who served as mayor for the next ten years.

Rooney, an avid swimmer, designed a course to ensure more participants, with a bus taking them to starting and ending points depending on the current so swimmers did not have to swim against the more difficult challenge. He kept the annual swim tradition, expanding it and including both a one mile and two-mile swim.

After Mayor Rooney’s death in 1999, the swim meet faltered a bit, until Rooney’s son, Charlie, then a councilman in Sea Bright, spearheaded a move to keep the annual race a popular event. It was suggested that the name be changed to the Andy Rooney Meet to honor both former mayors and it has remained that ever since. Rooney is general chair of the Swim Meet and also swims in the competition.

Awards are given in the meet to the top five males and top five females in the one mile and two-mile swims, excluding wet-suit wearers. Wet-suit wearers will be in a separate division with awards for the top three overall male and female swimmers.

Registrations must be made online with no paper copy registrations available. Credit cards are accepted. Those who register the day of the event must do it by cellphone before arriving so they can receive an instant email with a chip number which can be picked up upon arrival.

Registration is from 6:45 a.m. until 7:15 a.m. with the first race, the two-mile swim, getting off at 7:30 a.m. The mile swim will start at 8:15 a.m.

For more information visit https://raceforum.com/sbswim

Both swims will start on the south end of the public beach and end in front of Donovan’s. Sea Bright lifeguards will be stationed along the route in the water. Anyone needing assistance, should raise their hands and wave to attract their attention.

Competition is limited to 200 registrants, with the first 125 registered swimmers receiving the event tee shirt.

Andy Rooney Andy Rooney

MAST – 15 Million Split Among 61 Kids

By
Muriel J. Smith
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Three military academy appointments and three ROTC scholarships were presented to graduates of MAST, the Marine Academy of Science and Technology at their graduation ceremonies June 19 on Pershing Field at Fort Hancock. Some having to make choices of which they wanted to accept.

Jasper Malles of Red Bank, declined his Navy ROTC scholarship to accept an appointment to the US Air Force Academy and Sam Puleio of Middletown declined his appointment to the Naval Academy in addition to another Navy ROTC scholarship in order to accept his appointment to the US Coast Guard Academy at New London, Connecticut.

Gerald Flynn of Tinton Falls accepted his appointment to the US Merchant Marine Academy in New York.

Ananya Vuppala of Morganville accepted an Air Force ROTC scholarship to Yale University where she is enrolled in the Space Force program.

Jack Arhanic of Fair Haven accepted his Navy ROTC scholarship to Embry Riddle in Florida, Sofia Bracker of Little Silver, her Army ROTC scholarship to Penn State, and Noah Cuttrell of Middletown, his Army ROTC Scholarship to TCNJ.

Calvin Stern of Middletown accepted his Navy ROTC scholarship to Cornell University, and Brandon Weiss of Oceanport, who declined a Navy scholarship, is going to the University of Miami on the Army ROTC scholarship he also was awarded.

Mae Woolley of Red Bank also accepted an Army ROTC scholarship, hers to Harvard, rather than the Navy ROTC scholarship also received.

Another student in the graduating class also received a Navy ROTC scholarship to Cornell University but opted instead to attend the same University on another scholarship. He also received.

Of the 61 graduates, 60 are going on to four-year colleges and one is working towards a position in the National Hockey League by playing hockey at the Junior Level.

With more than $15 million in scholarships awarded to the 61 graduates of MAST, the Marine Academy of Science and Technology this year, it appears that perhaps their biggest problem was in deciding which of the many colleges they were offered, in many cases, more than one, they would choose for higher education.

No fewer than 56 of the graduating seniors received merit-based scholarships, which averages out to more than $257,000, or a quarter of a million dollars for each MAST graduate this year. Scholarships were awarded to more than 75 different colleges and universities throughout the United States.

The four year scholarships and military academy acceptances are in addition to the numerous other scholarships MAST students have received throughout the year and at graduation from numerous groups including the Daughters and Sons of the Revolution, the Ladies clubs, Rotary, Lions club , historical societies, and so many other local institutions that recognize the high standards these students have achieved.

Officials representing each of the branches of military were present at the graduation to make their award announcements and presentations to those accepting the military ROTC scholarships and military academy appointments. Each of the awardees is a member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish Honore Society or both and many also earned the Seal of Biliteracy.

To addition to three 2024 MAST graduates going to three military academies, where they will join with MAST graduates from the past three years and another three going to other universities on military scholarships, MAST students received scholarships to such diverse universities as Stevens Institute of Technology, Gettysburg College, Seton Hall and Catholic universities, the College of Charleston, Stockton, , Xavier, Rutgers, Villanova, Muhlenberg, Florida Institute of Technology, Dickinson, East Stroudsburg and Michigan Tech.

Students also earned scholarship to the Universities of Miami, Massachusetts at Amherst, Delaware, Rhode Island, Scranton, Molloy, Tennessee, West Virginia, Pittsburgh, New England, New Haven, Montclair, Widner, Fordham, Vermont, Drew, Drexel, Quinnipiac, Monmouth, Villanova, Michigan, George Washington, Georgian Court, Delaware, Rowan, Minnesota, Case Western Reserve, Temple, Scranton, Roger Williams, Northeastern, Bentley, Syracuse Embry-Riddle Aeronautical, South Carolina, Marine Maritime, DePaul, Pace, and Louisiana State.

Still more scholarships earned by MAST graduates were to High Point, RIT, Florida Southern University, William Patterson, University of Miami, West Chester, Molloy, Rensselaer Polytechnic, Nazareth College, Bentley,, Rose Humans Institute of Technology and Johnson and Wale.

MAST

Word of the Day … Uglyography

By
Muriel J. Smith
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0
Uglyography

Uglyography Whether you’re a voracious reader, a lexicographer, creative hobbyist, or just want to get out of the heat, the Atlantic Highlands Library certainly offers so much for everyone.

Branch Librarian Lauren Garcia, who also serves in her dual capacity as children’s librarian, heads a team at this branch of the Monmouth County Library System who like to try new and different things. Lauren also thinks far into the future and is already planning new and popular former programs for children and adults in the fall as well.

But for now, tomorrow, July 10, a team from the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office will be at the library at 3 p.m. to talk about bike safety. Kids from kindergarten on up and those adults who cycle but want refreshers on safety are all invited for an interesting program on what to do and not do while on a bike to ensure safety.

Then Monday afternoon, July 15, at 1 p.m. there’s a great program especially geared to senior citizens but one everyone can learn tips from. Chris Call of Matawan, who is a retired solutions architect whose specialty is cyber security, will give some tips on how to avoid being taken in by scams and things that sound too good to be true…since most of them are.

Call will have a great power point presentation along with some handouts and touch on such areas as how to recognize a caller, say from your bank or credit card company, is really a scammer. He’ll also have tips on contacts you should make before releasing information or funds, and how to avoid pitfalls. The program is at 1 p.m. and all are invited.’ Call will definitely warn you “Don’t Fall for it!”

Next Thursday, July 18, at 7 p.m., all the Stephen King fans are invited to be at the library to talk about their favorite author, and discuss “The Shining”, one of his best sellers, as the library begins the first of a monthly series of Stephen King Book Club meetings. You’re invited to attend even if you haven’t read a single one of his books. You might be enticed to try one.

As far as the lexicography goes, every day Lauren has a new word up, most of which you’ve probably never heard before, and it’s up to you to test your brain, tear the word apart, or simply take a wild guess as to what it means. Today’s word is Uglyography …and she isn’t talking about the new musical release.

Just a hint as to what’s coming in September, if you’re creative, keep September 5 available for the youngsters. With the donation of some pretty spectacular driftwood, Lauren is staging Treasures from the Seashore and inviting youngsters from Kindergarten up to scour the beach this summer for seashell finds or other oddities on the beach.

During the September 5 program, they’ll be able to be creative with their finds and the driftwood to make mobiles, decorations, keepsakes and more to ensure their summer fun can be remembered even when the snow falls and temperatures drop.

The library, l located in Borough Hall, is open Mondays from 10 a.m. to 6 p..m., Tuesdays 9 to 4, Wednesdays, 9 to 5, Thursdays, 1 to 9, Fridays 1 to 5 and Saturdays, 9 to 1 p.m.

Past Events HERE

Uglyography Uglyography Uglyography Uglyography Uglyography

PRAYERS ON THE PORCH

By
Muriel J. Smith
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0
prayers on the porch

PRAYERS ON THE PORCH will be at the Gluckstein home at 60 Ocean blvd., Atlantic Highlands, at 6:30 p.m. this evening, July 9. All are invited from all faiths to share a half hour of friendship, camaraderie and prayers for our families, friends, towns and our nation.

Music on the Porch at Camp Happiness

By
Muriel J. Smith
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0
Music

Music on the Porch with Shot Gun Bill Anala and Kevin Liebkemann will be featured at a celebration at Camp Happiness Wednesday, July 10, honoring the 95th anniversary of the non-profit agency geared to offer services for the blind and visually impaired.

The public is invited to bring their lawn chairs and join the celebration featuring Camp Happiness members and enjoy ice cream and beverages from Middletown Meltdown ice cream truck. Face painting, blindfolded cornhole and a historic picture display will also be featured at the event.

Those who volunteer at Camp Happiness or have a family member who ever attended the waterfront facility are urged to attend and share their stories of how this popular summer resort impacted their families and created happy memories.

Camp Happiness has been offering free services to blind and visually impaired individuals in the community for the last 95 years. Board President Pilar Curvy emphasized the significance of the work as ” the only organization providing these services not just for the blind and visually impaired, but to their families and caregivers as well.” The organization does not receive any financial support from the state and relies entirely on the generosity of the community.

Four blind men established the NJ Blind Men’s Club in 1910.  With the backing of two philanthropists from West Orange in 1929, these individuals established a groundbreaking initiative that enabled visually impaired men to acquire essential skills for independent living.  

A residence was constructed on the banks of Sandy Hook Bay in Leonardo, providing the occupants with the opportunity to also engage in fishing, swimming, boating and communal gatherings. The men designate the program as “Camp Happiness” as it provided them with a brief respite from their blindness.  Impressed by their work, Helen Keller sent an autographed picture and personally visited the camp in 1929 to present a letter commending their excellent work.

Today at Camp Happiness, blind and visually impaired members receive understanding and caring support to assist them in navigating their vision loss. They also benefit from free services, creative programming, educational forums, health and wellness, celebratory events, trips to concerts, restaurants, plays, and other places of interest.  Members are also presented with volunteer opportunities to give back to their community. 

Camp Happiness is a program of New Jersey Blind Citizens Association, Inc. and is located at 18 Burlington Avenue in Leonardo.  It also serves the community on a statewide level with free advocacy, resources, and referral services.

For more information or donate, call 732-291-0878 or visit the website at www.njbca.org.

Music Music Music Music

 

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